1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph. We are in Ontario, Canada in the 1980s where the setting is out in the country of an Indian Reserve where you are introduced right off the bat to: Pelajia, Philomena, and Annie Cook. We get a sense that these women have been in the reservation their entire lives, therefore creating a sense of extreme closeness and slight tension automatically setting the tone of the play. Depending on what the director may want in this play, the background to me should show the Canadian, natural beauty. And perhaps a simple setting with not a lot of props for the actors should fill the space with their body language. 2. What is the intrusion? The revelation of the greatest bingo game in Canada is the event that is the most important for some of the characters for specific reasons and it has dragged on for quite some time. It is the golden ticket to wealth and a chance for one to leave the reservation. 3. What is the unique factor? The timing and the ways that unfold in this play happen suggest that the characters have reached a “mid-life” crisis. The chief characters are well into their ages, have lived with their spouses long enough to understand marital problems, life has taken a toll on some, and some dream of a getaway. I am basing my evidence of how the characters reached during certain events, like the bingo night. 4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play? The dramatic question that should be answered by the end is if the results of the bingo game are what everyone dreams it would be? Did one find happiness in the wealth they won through the game? Where will they go if they won? Is life the same afterwards? 5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it. One exposition is in the very first scene when Pelajia describes her view from the rooftop of Philomena’s roof: “I can see half of Manitoulin Island on a clear day…. Big Joey’s little dump….I could see the CN Tower in Toronto.” You get the sense that they are far from a lot of things, so basically a reservation. Another exposition was the description of the Zhaboonigan’s rape. 6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be. I would say the most theatrical moment for me was when Emily throws Veronique across the room in the first scene. This is the first moment in the play where violence and anger is expressed in the most shocking way. Everyone in the play has only expressed frustration through words, but no action. To me, I didn’t expect for Emily to have such lack of control over her own actions and is to me slightly unnecessary. 7. List some of the themes of the play. The heart wants what the heart wants. Listen to it for it beats your true desires, your head can only tell you so much. No one should ever hit a woman…ever…even if you are a women….don’t do it. When is the time to let of a tradition, what should be preserved and what should be kept. The damage alcoholism is a disease that affects the victim and all the loved ones around him/her. Sisters stick together through thick and thin. 8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants? Picking a chief character is not so clear and a little difficult. But if I had to choose, it would be Anne. What she wants is to escape the life that she is living now. She has no money, she can’t stop drinking and is battling some serious internal issues that she feels that leaving will make it all go away. The stakes she has over the Bingo night are high and believes that the wealth she’’ll acquire ( if she wins ) will save her from her misery. The obstacles that stand in front of her are realistically under her control, but because her mind gets in the way, it’s impossible to break them down herself. Having the luck of winning her happiness is the one that is truly not under her control. So it’s her vs. fate and her vs. herself is what this is defined as. 9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play. The title itself indicates to the audience that this is a family or a group that sticks together through thick and thin and rez alludes to the reservation that the whole play is center around. The word bingo has is enunciated to indicate an image of freedom, happiness, and wealth that the characters long to acquire. So the illusion of the aftermath of the bingo helps us understand their ideal life. 10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play. Family in this case is an unconventional family consisting of blood sisters, half-sisters, and sister in laws. The play does make a point to bring out all the highs and lows that sisters would endure in real life. The strength is clear and in this particular family, it’s a bond that can never be broken when the most horrific thing happens, making it probably the central theme of the play.
We are in Ontario, Canada in the 1980s where the setting is out in the country of an Indian Reserve where you are introduced right off the bat to: Pelajia, Philomena, and Annie Cook. We get a sense that these women have been in the reservation their entire lives, therefore creating a sense of extreme closeness and slight tension automatically setting the tone of the play. Depending on what the director may want in this play, the background to me should show the Canadian, natural beauty. And perhaps a simple setting with not a lot of props for the actors should fill the space with their body language.
2. What is the intrusion?
The revelation of the greatest bingo game in Canada is the event that is the most important for some of the characters for specific reasons and it has dragged on for quite some time. It is the golden ticket to wealth and a chance for one to leave the reservation.
3. What is the unique factor?
The timing and the ways that unfold in this play happen suggest that the characters have reached a “mid-life” crisis. The chief characters are well into their ages, have lived with their spouses long enough to understand marital problems, life has taken a toll on some, and some dream of a getaway. I am basing my evidence of how the characters reached during certain events, like the bingo night.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
The dramatic question that should be answered by the end is if the results of the bingo game are what everyone dreams it would be? Did one find happiness in the wealth they won through the game? Where will they go if they won? Is life the same afterwards?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One exposition is in the very first scene when Pelajia describes her view from the rooftop of Philomena’s roof: “I can see half of Manitoulin Island on a clear day…. Big Joey’s little dump….I could see the CN Tower in Toronto.” You get the sense that they are far from a lot of things, so basically a reservation. Another exposition was the description of the Zhaboonigan’s rape.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
I would say the most theatrical moment for me was when Emily throws Veronique across the room in the first scene. This is the first moment in the play where violence and anger is expressed in the most shocking way. Everyone in the play has only expressed frustration through words, but no action. To me, I didn’t expect for Emily to have such lack of control over her own actions and is to me slightly unnecessary.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
The heart wants what the heart wants. Listen to it for it beats your true desires, your head can only tell you so much. No one should ever hit a woman…ever…even if you are a women….don’t do it. When is the time to let of a tradition, what should be preserved and what should be kept. The damage alcoholism is a disease that affects the victim and all the loved ones around him/her. Sisters stick together through thick and thin.
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Picking a chief character is not so clear and a little difficult. But if I had to choose, it would be Anne. What she wants is to escape the life that she is living now. She has no money, she can’t stop drinking and is battling some serious internal issues that she feels that leaving will make it all go away. The stakes she has over the Bingo night are high and believes that the wealth she’’ll acquire ( if she wins ) will save her from her misery. The obstacles that stand in front of her are realistically under her control, but because her mind gets in the way, it’s impossible to break them down herself. Having the luck of winning her happiness is the one that is truly not under her control. So it’s her vs. fate and her vs. herself is what this is defined as.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The title itself indicates to the audience that this is a family or a group that sticks together through thick and thin and rez alludes to the reservation that the whole play is center around. The word bingo has is enunciated to indicate an image of freedom, happiness, and wealth that the characters long to acquire. So the illusion of the aftermath of the bingo helps us understand their ideal life.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family in this case is an unconventional family consisting of blood sisters, half-sisters, and sister in laws. The play does make a point to bring out all the highs and lows that sisters would endure in real life. The strength is clear and in this particular family, it’s a bond that can never be broken when the most horrific thing happens, making it probably the central theme of the play.